Sharing life with a loyal canine companion has been proven to bring various health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, promoting physical activity, and encouraging exercise. However, for Rai Valenzuela, who adopted his St. Bernard, Bernardita, last year, owning a pet has led to some unexpected lifestyle changes.

“She’s quite the party animal,” Valenzuela humorously admitted.

Since adopting Bernardita, Valenzuela has taken her everywhere with him in their home city of Santiago, Chile, including occasional visits to the local bar. While Valenzuela enjoyed a beer or cocktail, Bernardita reveled in the attention from other patrons. Sometimes, Valenzuela even ordered a snack to share with her. Over time, a positive association developed with the bar, and their visits became increasingly frequent, much to Valenzuela’s amusement.

Now, whenever Valenzuela and Bernardita go for a walk, she enthusiastically drags him back to the bar.

“She’ll insist on going there,” Valenzuela chuckled. “I might want to go shopping, but she’s determined to take me to the bar.”

Once inside, Bernardita refuses to leave, leading Valenzuela to order a drink or two, even if he hadn’t initially planned on it.

“She’s a drain on my wallet,” Valenzuela laughed. “Bernardita gets what she wants, and there’s no way you can convince that dog otherwise.”

Occasionally, after finally departing her beloved bar, Bernardita will guide her dad to yet another nearby watering hole.

“She enjoys bar hopping,” Valenzuela said with a grin.

Thankfully, their visits to bars aren’t the only activities they enjoy. They still manage to get plenty of exercise.

“We walk about 10 kilometers a day. Santiago is a fantastic city with numerous parks, pleasant sidewalks, and trees. And, of course, cold beers,” Valenzuela noted. “Bernardita is the happiest dog on Earth—and the best drinking buddy.”